The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics
Good Morning, Nova Nation. Can’t wait to be back together this weekend!
What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!
🏆 Tourney Time
🏈 Big Play Bursey
⚽️ Three Of A Kind
🔷 And much more!
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!
🔼 Tourney Time. Villanova field hockey heads into postseason play this weekend as the No. 4 seed in the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament, where the Wildcats will face top-seeded and nationally ranked UConn in Friday's semifinal matchup at 1 p.m. ET at Howarth Field in Philadelphia.
The ‘Cats are in the postseason for the third time in the past four years and will look to take down the Huskies, who enter as the No. 3 ranked in the country.
A victory on Friday would send Villanova to its first BIG EAST Championship match since 2005.
🔼 Finishing Strong. With her collegiate field hockey career entering its final stretch, Ava Borkowski is leaving it all on the field.
She scored the ‘Cats goal in a narrow loss to No. 12 Liberty in the regular season finale and currently leads the team in goals (12) and points (26).
In her three seasons (52 games) at Villanova, how many career goals has Ava Borkowski racked up for the ‘Cats
Got a guess?
Scroll to the bottom to see if you know your stuff!
🔼 Earning His Shot. After two years of grinding and working, former All-Conference performer Isas Waxter has earned his shot with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Waxter, a 2024 Villanova alum, spent two seasons on NFL practice squads and recently made his NFL debut, playing in three games over the past month.
In Sunday’s battle with the Los Angeles Rams, Waxter had a career day with six tackles.
🔼 Big Play Bursey. For the second time this season, Villanova linebacker Omari Bursey has been named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.
Villanova's top man in the middle of the field once again led the team in tackles with nine against the Leopards, adding a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss and a seven-yard sack to force a turnover on downs. He also tallied the team's first defensive score of the season on a 27-yard pick six late in the opening frame, his second career interception and first ever points.
Bursey still leads the FCS in solo tackles with 6.89 per game, and is top 50 for total tackles (third, best in CAA), tackles for loss (25th) and sacks (49th).
🔼 Three Of A Kind. For the third time this season, three Villanova Women's Soccer players landed on the BIG EAST Weekly Honors list. Hannah Dickinson was tabbed Goalkeeper of the Week, while Dez Zapata and Meredith Palmer were Weekly Honor Roll picks.
The trio of honors brings Villanova to 17 weekly honors from the conference this season.
🔼 Partnering Up. Villanova Athletics today announced a landmark multiyear partnership with Future Standard, a global alternative asset manager with Philadelphia roots, that will feature the company's brand on the jerseys of all 24 Villanova varsity sports programs.
The agreement represents a significant commitment to the University and reflects a shared ambition to create meaningful opportunities for students and student-athletes.
The Future Standard jersey patch will make its debut on November 1, when the Villanova men's and women's basketball teams face the University of Notre Dame at the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome, Italy, providing a global stage for the introduction of the partnership.
What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises
*All times listed in ET
Wednesday, November 4th
🐦⬛ Tyler Arboretum: Weekday Bird Walk
🏊 Women’s Swimming & Diving vs. Penn @ 5 pm
Thursday, November 5th
📚 Brandywine Museum of Art: Children’s Read-Aloud Tours
Friday, November 6th
🎭 Villanova Theatre: Spring Awakening
🏑 Field Hockey vs. UConn @ 1 pm (BIG EAST Tournament - Philadelphia, Pa.)
🏊 Swimming & Diving at Penn State @ 4:30 pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. Marquette @ 5 pm
⚽️ Men’s Soccer at Seton Hall @ 7 pm
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Holy Cross @ 7 pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Drexel Dragon Invitational (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Saturday, November 7th
🍎 Swarthmore Farmers Market
🏊 Swimming & Diving vs. Providence @ 11 am
🏈 Football vs. Richmond @ 1 pm
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. UConn @ 2:30 pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. DePaul @ 5 pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Drexel Dragon Invitational (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Sunday, November 8th
🦋 J. Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum: Birds, Butterflies, and Dragonflies Walk with Cliff and Nancy Hence
🏑 Field Hockey at BIG EAST Championship @ 12 pm (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Drexel Dragon Invitational (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🚣 Rowing at Villanova Fall Scrimmage
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Have a great one, Nova Nation!
